What’s in Crispy Breaded Parmesan Chicken
Chicken thighs are all dressed up in this oven baked recipe with simple ingredients like Italian breadcrumbs, a medley of seasonings, and of course plenty of parmesan cheese!
Chicken: I used chicken thighs, but you can feel free to use breasts if preferred. Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan creates a tasty crust on this chicken. Freshly-grated is preferred for the best consistency and flavor. Italian Breadcrumbs: I prefer these over Panko because of the added flavor! Eggs: This is what helps bind the breading to the chicken. Heavy Cream: You can use buttermilk instead if preferred. Seasonings: A simple blend of paprika, coarse sea salt, and black pepper are what lend the best flavor to the chicken. Butter: It needs to be salted and melted. Herbs: Fresh oregano and thyme are great garnishes.
Pro Tip: If you want this recipe to really resemble your favorite fried chicken, try making it with drumsticks. Cook the same way you would the chicken thighs.
Variations on Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Feel free to use another cut of chicken if you’d like! Breasts and drumsticks will both work well with this breaded Parmesan crusted chicken recipe. You can also swap the Italian breadcrumbs with Panko, but keep in mind that both the consistency and flavor will be impacted by that change.
How to Store and Reheat
Leftover baked Parmesan crusted chicken can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven for a bit to revive that crispy texture. Preheat the oven to 400°F, place the chicken on a pan and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, then enjoy!
How to Freeze Oven Fried Chicken
Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the parmesan crusted chicken thighs to an airtight container, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Once ready to enjoy, let the chicken slowly thaw in the fridge and follow the instructions above to reheat it.
What to Serve with Parmesan Crusted Chicken
This crispy oven baked chicken tastes amazing with mashed potatoes, creamed green beans, baked Mac and cheese, and cornbread.
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title: “Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-27” author: “Joycelyn Gilpatrick”
What’s in Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken?
Thin chicken breasts are coated with tangy Parmesan, deliciously breaded, and cooked until crispy. Here’s a rundown of the ingredients:
Butter: Unsalted butter helps the breadcrumbs, cheese, and seasonings to adhere to the chicken breasts. You could use salted butter, but I would recommend reducing the amount of kosher salt used in the recipe. Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper give these chicken breasts a classic Italian flavor. For a different flavor profile, you could use ranch seasoning, chicken seasoning, or creole seasoning! Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese-style breadcrumbs that are extra crunchy and crispy. Unlike classic breadcrumbs, Panko breadcrumbs stay crunchy when used in coatings. Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese adds a great, tangy flavor to the chicken without adding too much moisture. Freshly-shredded cheese works best here. If you’re not a Parmesan fan, try Asiago, Pecorino Romano, or Grana Padano. Chicken: I love boneless, skinless chicken breasts, as they’re easy to pound thin. If using chicken thighs, you will need to pound your fillets to half an inch thickness. Also, make sure the surface on both sides is flat. Chicken thighs will need longer to cook, whereas chicken breasts cook faster.
Pro Tip: To give this chicken a little kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture in step 3.
Making Parmesan Crusted Chicken Gluten-Free
To make baked Parmesan chicken gluten-free, replace the Panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs. The coating might not be as crunchy, but it will still be delicious.
How to Store and Reheat Parmesan Chicken
Store Parmesan crusted chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through.
How to Freeze Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Freeze Parmesan crusted chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve with Parmesan Breaded Chicken
You can make this meal light or more substantial with a variety of tasty sides. For a rich, filling meal, try air fryer potato wedges, instant pot green bean casserole, fondant potatoes, or jalapeno popper pasta salad. For a lighter meal, use the chicken as a topper for a fresh green goddess salad or serve it with a side of roasted vegetables. This easy weeknight recipe will become an instant favorite in your house!
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